You don't have to play like Rachmaninov to justify buying a piano for your apartment. What you will have to do is consider how you will get the piano into your apartment. This is something that requires a significant amount of planning. Here are some things to consider before buying a piano.
What Style of Piano and What Size?
Pianos come in two different styles and several different sizes. The two styles are upright and horizontal.
Upright pianos take up much less room than horizontal pianos. They are tall, but they are not deep. The strings run up and down. They are very popular for people with limited space.
Horizontal pianos, also called grand, are pianos that have the strings run horizontally. They are much more expensive. Many people like the look of the grand pianos because they are so visually impressive. If you attend a concert recital, then the odds are the pianist is going to be playing on a grand.
If you have a small apartment, then you should focus your search on upright pianos. If you have a very large apartment, then you can look at the smaller grand pianos, such as the baby grand.
Who Are You Buying It From?
If you are buying the piano from a company, as opposed to a private seller, then you can often arrange for delivery. This is ideal because pianos are difficult to transport.
However, sometimes you will find a great deal on the private market. If you decide to buy from a private seller, you will have to arrange for the transportation. This is a big project that you shouldn't overlook.
How To Move A Piano When Buying From A Private Seller
You have two options when buying from a private seller. You can hire piano movers, or you can attempt to move the piano yourself.
Move It Yourself
If you decide that you are going to move the piano on your own, realize that you will need help. It is not a one-person job. You will need several people to help you. You are also going to need a truck. In most cases, you will need to hire a van or large box truck. These are all logistical issues that you need to work out.
Hire Professional Piano Movers
This is the way to go. You don't want to try and maneuver a large piano through doorways and up and down stairs. You can hurt yourself and wreck the piano. It's simply easier to hire professionals who have the experience with moving pianos.